The Song That Radiohead’s ‘Creep’ Is Based On

I did not know this! Apparently, the similarities between Radiohead’s “Creep” and The Hollies’ “The Air That I Breathe” were striking enough that Albert Hammond and Mike Hazelwood were given cowriters’ credits when Radiohead first released the single.

*A caveat: All the references I have found to this fact maintain that Hammond and Hazelwood were credited in the liner notes of Pablo Honey. I dutifully pulled out my old 1993 CD of Pablo Honey and found no such reference. Perhaps the credits showed up on later pressings? If any of you nerds can verify this for me, I’ll be your best friend.

Also of interest - seems like Radiohead deny the song’s being a direct influence. Like, it was one of those cases where they only realized the similarities after the fact. George Harrison referred to this phenomenon as “Cryptomnesia” when The Chiffons accused him of ripping off their song “He’s So Fine” for his 1970 hit “My Sweet Lord.” “Cryptomnesia” is a cool word to know.

*A caveat: All the references I have found to this fact maintain that Hammond and Hazelwood were credited in the liner notes of Pablo Honey. I dutifully pulled out my old 1993 CD of Pablo Honey and found no such reference. Perhaps the credits showed up on later pressings? If any of you nerds can verify this for me, I’ll be your best friend.

Also of interest - seems like Radiohead deny the song’s being a direct influence. Like, it was one of those cases where they only realized the similarities after the fact. George Harrison referred to this phenomenon as “Cryptomnesia” when The Chiffons accused him of ripping off their song “He’s So Fine” for his 1970 hit “My Sweet Lord.” “Cryptomnesia” is a cool word to know.